Daimler will scale back investments in plants, equipment and new technology from a peak this year stemming in part from its creation of the EQ electric-car subbrand, amid a push to maintain profitability.

In March, a panel of VW dealers set out to negotiate a compensation deal with VW that would avert a lawsuit against the factory. But when the deal finally came together, it was disclosed by someone else: the lawyer for a dealer who defied the six-member committee and sued.